Where Do Poets Go

~For all the tortured poets on the WC and beyond...

“Heaven deliver us, what's a poet? Something that can't go to bed without making a song about it.” 
― Dorothy L. Sayers

Where do old poets go to die

are we ever laid to rest

could our words live on

into the cosmos for posterity

Old dusty book shelves our castles,

our pen the sword that exults us

Prose and rhyme that differentiate us from the masses

we the thousands that have won no accolades

only our peers to love our treasured words,

have signed no contract other than

the blood we've shed through our written word

will each tear, joy, delirium, every ounce of sweat

that has stained our poetry

metaphorically be our fortress in the sky

will we live on in the eyes of  those who dare to follow

to tread in our pages as we have those who came before us

“I decided that it was not wisdom that enabled [poets] to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophets who deliver all their sublime messages without knowing in the least what they mean.” 
― Socrates

Author's Note

captcha~aimless

Reviews

[TL Boehm]

I think the saddest thing I feel at times are my unread words. Especially here amongst my peers. I just sent an RR out on a poem that has been here since May. Its not a great thing but it has a place in my heart. And its never been reviewed.
Its part of the reason I review as much as I do. Because we poets - we are our words.

[Frieda P]

Tammy you break my heart, I don't think I have that in my RR's, of course they've run amuck...you're brilliant, so sorry you feel that way!

[TL Boehm]

RRs multiply when you aren't looking. Like watered mogwai.

[Frieda P]

Oh I know, I can't keep up....send it to me in a PM, I looked and couldn't find it on your page.

[Baby Ricochet]

I'll probably croak in a mismanaged VA hospital. Good poem frieda.

[Frieda P]

Ermahgawd, don't say that Baby....thanks.

[Sanober]

You honor the beautiful, vulnerable heart of a poet with this gem of a poem. You have given all our fears, dreams, and yearnings an eternal voice. Thank you for this beautiful tribute that speaks to me deeply.

[Frieda P]

Thanks so much for your lovely review Sanober.

[beautiful dreamer]

nicely done miss margarita!

[Frieda P]

Jazzed you enjoyed Jen!

[Trace]

I read this with a burning question in my mind as each line brought me to that question: will anyone care about what I have written when I am gone? Will my children keep a copy of my book of poetry on their shelf and share it with their children, or will it simply be dismissed and forgotten. No matter what happens to it when I am gone, I hope what I write is enjoyed by at least one person while I still have the ability to write.. And hopefully something that I write will inspire someone else.
Thank you for writing such a wonderful poem, that has been enjoyed by this poet. Trace

[Frieda P]

As a poet in my mind, you know I revel in your thoughts here, thanks Trace.

[Kleio13]

Damn this is amazing Frieda. These thoughts run through my mind 24/7

[Frieda P]

Ahhh, like minds & all that jazz :-) Thanks muchly.

[Angel]

Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.
-Carl Sandburg

One of my very favorite quotes about poets and poetry...I thought I'd share it with you.

[Frieda P]

Thanks for sharing Angel, that's a new one for me.

[Angel]

I figured you'd like that one...it almost sounds like something you might say, yourself.

[Angel]

I totally adore the music you chose to go along with this lovely piece. It fits so beautifully. Together, the poem, the picture, the music...they breathe magic...

[Frieda P]

Thanks Angel, I'm obsessed with Dax Johnson, you'll find I tend to use his music a lot, unfortunately I didn't discover his talent until after he passed at a young age from an overdose.

[Angel]

How sad!
But he lives on in his music!

[Frieda P]

Yes he does, but I'm sure he had so much more to offer, really a shame...

[redflutterby]

The words of those that write live on as long as there is someone to read them. Or in the case of song to hear and sing them. So it has been since the beginning of time..it is all we have. No one can steal them from us... Brilliant thoughts here luv. xo

[Frieda P]

Thanks so much my sweet friend, hopefully someone will xo

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we have made the old poets live on, we read them, honor them, emulate them...


so when we go, why not?
we can hope that we have done more than just existed, that we have left something worthwhile that might be read many years from now...and may find a permanent hom on someone's bookshelf...

hopeful poem for us old poets.

[Frieda P]

Thanks jacob, jazzed you enjoyed this one.

[Rita L. Sev]

will we live on in the eyes of those who dare to follow
to tread in our pages as we have those who came before us

I completely adore this poem, Frieda...

[Frieda P]

Wow Rita, thanks, I'm totally jazzed....!

[Rita L. Sev]

You're truly welcome - this is one of your best!

[Frieda P]

Doing the happy dance! :-)

[Rita L. Sev]

:) You should know that every time you say that, I picture Snoopy dancing on Schroeder's piano...

[Frieda P]

LOL, probably exactly what I look like too..... ;-)

[kublakhan27]

While I was working on the editorial staff of my school's arts journal I wrote an essay called "Writing Is Such Sweet Sorrow" which I haven't looked at in ages, but am almost compelled to pull it out now and read it again...or maybe even post it? ;P

This is the ultimate mission statement of a poet...as long as humans inhabit the planet, poetry will live forever...books and novels can be banned and burned by radical political movements, or simply erode with the passing of time...but word-of-mouth will carry stories and poetry through the ages, including our own...when I am dead and gone, it's my poetry that will define me...should I be talked about by anyone, it will be through the filter of my writing, and should I not be talked about, well those words will be my ghost...as you can see, this one really got me thinking...love this one my dear :)

[Frieda P]

Oh I would love to read that one Benji, see if your mind still works in much the same way... :-) Thanks so much my sweet friend....x

[kublakhan27]

Haha well it is an essay so I don't know how successful it would be here...I'll let you know if I find it though ;) xo

[Frieda P]

You always say that Benji....let me know when you do :-) x

[kublakhan27]

Haha well not many people read essays here, at least I don't think ;P x